WACO, Texas (April 4, 2014) – The Institute for Studies of Religion (ISR) at Baylor University and Baylor University Press will co-sponsor a lecture by Jing "Cathy" Zhang, assistant to the director at Renmin University of China’s School of Liberal Arts. Her lecture will begin at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 8.

Zhang, whose interests include exploring ancient civilizations and their literature, will present her topic "Christianity and Chinese Culture: Past and Future" in the Cox Lecture Hall of Armstrong Browning Library, 710 Speight Ave.

Though Christianity has long been spread throughout China, conversions to the faith did not truly take off until the 1980s. Part of this change is attributed to the differences between Christianity and Chinese culture. Zhang’s lecture will compare historical and present-day cases, showing changes in relations between the two cultures and new challenges for Chinese Christians today.

A member and lay leader of Haidian Christian Church, which has 10,000 members, Zhang tries to use her God-given gifts to better serve the church and the intellectuals in China. As the first convert in a family influenced by Chinese traditional religions, and as an intellect trained and educated in an atheist context, she understands the challenges and barriers for believing in Christ in China.

To register for this event visit here. For more information about this and other ISR events, call 254-710-7555.

Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The university provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 15,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating university in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 11 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDIES OF RELIGION

Launched in August 2004, the Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion (ISR) exists to initiate, support and conduct research on religion, involving scholars and projects spanning the intellectual spectrum: history, psychology, sociology, economics, anthropology, political science, epidemiology, theology and religious studies. The institute’s mandate extends to all religions, everywhere, and throughout history, and embraces the study of religious effects on prosocial behavior, family life, population health, economic development and social conflict. While always striving for appropriate scientific objectivity, ISR scholars treat religion with the respect that sacred matters require and deserve. For more information, visit www.baylorisr.org